The LIGHT House

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to choose adoption for my child?

If you are considering making an adoption plan for your baby, The LIGHT House is here to help. We support your decision to give your baby life. If you feel that there are too many obstacles financially, socially or emotionally facing you, adoption lets you make a choice in the best interest of your child.

Here's how it works: The birth mother and father (if he is available and willing) work closely with The LIGHT House Birth Parent Advocate to create an adoption plan for the baby. The Birth Parent Advocate will help support them through the entire process from pregnancy to placement and beyond.

Can adoption be good for my baby and me?

If you feel that you are not ready to be a parent, you can still give your baby a wonderful life by choosing adoption for him or her. Many adoption options will be available for you to choose from: Open adoption, Semi-Open adoption or Closed adoption. The Birth Parent Advocate will talk with you about them in detail.

What type of adoption is available?

An Open Adoption is the type of adoption in which the birth mother (and participating birth father) establish an on-going relationship with the adoptive parents and your child after placement. You will have the opportunity to see your baby and develop a relationship with the child as they grow up.

A Semi-Open adoption is one that offers some interaction between the birth mother (and participating birth father) and child, but not as much as an open adoption might have. For example, letters and cards and even gifts might be exchanged through The LIGHT House , but no actual contact would take place unless both parties agreed prior to the adoption.

A Closed adoption is when very little or no contact takes place between the birth mother (and participating birth father) and adoptive parents or child.

Can I choose the family for my baby?

YES! The Birth Parent Advocate will offer support as you choose a stable, loving environment for your baby from families that have been carefully screened and approved. You will have the opportunity to read through profiles of families and have contact with them as your are making your adoption plan.

How much will my child know about me?

The amount of information about you that is known is dependent upon the type of adoption you choose. The State of Missouri requires you to provide complete Medical and Social History report for your child no matter what type of adoption is occurring. The LIGHT House will assist you in having this report completed

When you choose to place your child through adoption:

You are making a positive life plan for your baby. You are selecting a family who is stable, loving, nurturing and can provide a secure home for your child;

You can talk with Birth Parent Advocate who can answer your questions while you make your final decision and is there to offer support;

You are able to choose the type of adoption plan for your baby and yourself;

You are making a brave and loving decision for your child.

Do many people adopt children?

Yes. There are over 1.5 million adopted children in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions Adoptive Families May Have:

What is the typical time frame for adoption?

It is hard to predict exact time frames for adoptions. Sometimes it can be as short as a month. In other cases, the wait can be much longer, sometimes even years. However, we truly believe that God orchestrates the match and every baby is placed with the family they are meant to be with.

How do we get started?

For more information you can call The LIGHT House Adoption Manager at 816.231.2233 ext. 203 and discuss your particular situation. Then complete an application through this website.

Upon review and approval of the application you will be contacted and a home study will need to be completed. The Adoption Manager can assist in you this process.

Our Ministry Locations

Missouri Baptist Children's Home provides ministries of Hope and Restoration throughout the state of Missouri through regional campuses in Bridgeton, Mt. Vernon, and Peculiar. Regional offices are maintained in Bridgeton, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kansas City and Springfield to provide the support needed by hundreds of foster families and children.
Volunteers are always welcome...

Who We Are

Missouri Baptist Children's Home was founded upon a dream of Mrs. Joseph B. Thompson in 1882. Mrs. Thompson saw a vital need in the rapidly developing city of St. Louis, for a place to house orphaned children and infants when they had no place to go.A member of the Ladies' Sewing...

Adoption

There are hundreds of foster children in Missouri who are waiting for a forever family. The photos listed on this page are some of those whose care is managed by MBCH Children and Family Ministries. For more information about the children listed as available on this website, please contact our INTAKE...

Foster Care

Foster Care provides a temporary home for children who are unable to live in their biological parent's home. Foster parents provide a safe home and place for children to heal until they are either reunited with their birth family or an adoptive home is found.
Family Foster Care Parents provide care for...

Foster Care

With little or no family support system, young people who are aging out of the foster care system are at significant risk of failing to become independent, successful adults. The MBCH Children and Family Ministries Transitional Living Program (TLP) provides the opportunity for young people between the ages of 16-21 to...

Human Trafficking Rescue

Human Trafficking profits from enslaving people for sexual servitude and forced labor world-wide. Consider the following statistics:
There are 100,000 to 300,000 underage girls being sold for sex in America.
The average age of American victims is 12-14 years old.
1 out of every 3 teens on the street will be lured toward prostitution...

Informational Meetings

MBCH Children and Family Ministries unique ministry is to provide Christian foster parents for children who have been abused and neglected. Christian foster parents have a wonderful opportunity to share their homes, their lives, and the love of Christ with foster children and their families. Our mission is to make a...

Services

If you or someone you know has just learned of an unplanned pregnancy, there may be feelings of fear, confusion and concern about the future.Having a baby can be stressful, even in the best of circumstances. An untimely pregnancy affects the individual in every aspect of life.At MBCH Children and Family...

Planned Giving

MBCH Foundation staff conduct Christian Stewardship Seminars for churches, community and/or civic groups. The seminar is presented at no cost or obligation to the organization or individuals who attend.
These seminars focus on basic principles of Christian stewardship as well as ways to plan your estate so you can 1) increase your current income,...

Planned Giving

You can include Missouri Baptist Children's Home in the final distribution of your estate to help the hurting and abused children in our care. In this way, your life continues to have a positive influence long after your in Heaven! Future generations of children, youth and families will benefit from the compassion and generosity of...

Show Your Support

Countless churches, mission groups and organizations have collected needed items to benefit the children served by the programs of MBCH Children and Family Ministries. Individuals also routinely donate items directly to the Children’s Home.
In order to facilitate the collection and distribution of the needed items, MBCH has established the "Campus Store"...

Adoption Program

The LIGHT House is a full service adoption agency licensed in the State of Missouri. Since 1985, our experienced staff has facilitated hundreds of successful adoptions. We help connect expectant mothers, who will be delivering or have delivered their babies in Missouri, with prospective Christian adoptive families who may live throughout...

Maternity Home

For young pregnant ladies aged 12 - 21 who need a safe place to stay while pregnant, we offer full residential services. All residential services are provided free of charge.
The residential services are provided in a wonderful large home that is clean, beautifully furnished, and private. Our staff provides a loving...

Ways You Can Support Our Ministry

The LIGHT House is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Your gift is tax deductible to the full extent provided by law.The Light House has been providing services to the Kansas City area since 1985. We have been blessed in the recent years with your gifts of service and resources. We cannot operate...

Ways You Can Support Our Ministry

We view our volunteers as an extension of our staff. Because of this, we ask volunteers to go through a process similar to that of new employees. We ask that you complete an application, which includes references, complete a background check, and go through an orientation process. The information needed is...

Speakers & Leadership

SpeakersWe have a list of excellent women’s ministry speakers that are ready to come to your church, and they’re all from right here in Missouri. Take a look at the list of speakers to find the right speaker for your next women’s ministry event.Download a List of SpeakersLeadershipView a State District...